Sec. 8.152. EMPLOYMENT OF NON-PHYSICIAN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCE. (a) A local mental health authority shall employ a non-physician mental health professional to serve as a mental health and substance use resource for school districts located in the region served by a regional education service center and in which the local mental health authority provides services.

(b) If two or more local mental health authorities provide services in a region served by a regional education service center, the local mental health authority that primarily operates in the county in which the center is located shall:

(1) employ the non-physician mental health professional;

(2) in making a hiring decision, consult with other local mental health authorities providing services in that region; and

(3) before making the final hiring decision, consult with the center.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1019 (H.B. 19), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.